As everyone know by now, it’s cold in the US. It’s cold everywhere, but it’s really cold here in Minnesota. All I want to do is sit under a blanket in front of the fire and knit with a good BBC mini-series on. Lately, I’ve been dreaming of making my own Icelandic sweater. I bought one I really love in Iceland two years ago, but it would be interesting to try my hand at it. I found some lovely free pattern for them online.
The Iðunn Cardigan from Knitty is the front runner. I like the simplicity of the colorwork. I would require steeking which would be a new challenge for me.
Here are a few other options…
Inga on Ravelry is also a cardigan. It has a little more traditional looking colorwork and would also require steeking.
The Létt-Lopi Vest, also on Ravelry, is sleeveless, but I’ve seen a few people adapt the pattern to have long sleeves. I love the touch of blue used in the colorwork, but not sure I think it looks as traditional as I want.
This cardigan from Drops Designs is stunning and I can make matching socks if I want!
Of course I could go really traditional with this pattern from Samband of Lopi.
What are you dreaming of making on these cold winter days?
© 2005 – 2014 Kathy Lewinski & Susan Cornish
I’m drawn to the vest. I had no idea that Icelandic sweaters were so lovely. What is steeking?
Steeking is basically when you knit the sweater body in one piece and then CUT IT!!!! to open it for a cardigan. Susi showed how she did it here.
My vote is for the vest (I knew that Manisha had good tastes) or the cardigan from Drops Design. I prefer the look of a fitted cardigan. Now that you have teased us, you have to show us the finished product.
I’m thinking perhaps an adaptation of some of these to get exactly what I want, like the yoke of one & the fit of another. I’m scared to start since I have so many unfinished sweaters. Also there is a another completely different sweater I’m looking at I’ll write about later.
Is that the life of a crafter/artist? So many projects so little time–LOL
Totally!
Ooh, lovely!
I’m hoping to spend a couple of days in Iceland this year on my way to the US. Where is the lovely hotel decorated with yarn?! And do you have any other tips for places to go/things to see? I’m mostly thinking of the Blue Lagoon and a day in Reykjavik. Also, did you find that many/most people were able to understand English?
Most people in Iceland speak english. Make sure you check out the Handknitting Association of Iceland/Handprjonasamband Islands in Skolavordustig. It is in the city center close to the main street. They have all the icelandic wool, patterns in english and lots of handmade sweaters and more. I also recommend you check out the fleamarket if your stop is over a weekend. In some stalls people are selling handmade knitwear.
Those socks would be just wonderful. My toes are always cold lately!
I was thinking of a knitted hood style sweater. Yes, like a hooded sweatshirt.
Hats are so warm. All of the above photos are lovely but for indoors. They wouldn’t keep me warm enough.
I have a jacket made from an Indian wool blanket. Absolutely love it. Wool blocks the cold.
Actually, if they are made with Icelandic Lopi wool they are quite warm. We saw many people wearing them as jackets in Iceland when it was pretty cold. Plus it is wet resistant.
I was admiring your january mittens and then I saw that you are thinking of making an icelandic sweater and since I am Icelandic I had to comment. If you are thinking about making a vest or a dress with or without sleeves the Lett lopi/Light lopi or Plotulopi/Unspun lopi is great for that and they are great for sweaters too. If you want a thick sweater that you can use as a jacket Alafoss lopi is perfect. I haven’t tried steeking in open sweater, I just use the sewing machine. Check out istex.is there you can see pattern books with icelandic patters and you can get an english version of them 🙂 Best of luck with making your icelandic sweater!